Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency ahead of severe storms expected Friday afternoon and evening. The National Weather Service in Louisville expects severe weather beginning Friday afternoon into the evening, potentially bringing damaging winds, “very large” hail, heavy rain and tornadoes, the agency warned.

KENTUCKY (WEVV) — Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a State of Emergency as a severe weather system moves through the state. “Once again we have a dangerous weather system sweeping across the commonwealth,” Beshear said.

A nightly curfew has been implemented in Laurel County, Kentucky as recovery efforts begin in the wake of the deadly tornado that ripped through the area on early Saturday.

Due to staffing shortages, the National Weather Service in Jackson no longer has overnight staff. But NWS and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear say the office was staffed Friday night and early Saturday.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear says at least 14 people are dead after storms hit the state late Friday.Multiple deaths have been reported out of Laurel and Pulaski counties where a tornado hit. That's about two and a half hours south of Cincinnati.

London Mayor Randall Weddle told our sister station WKYT the death toll in just Laurel County is now up to 20. The current total deaths is at least 21 in Kentucky. On Saturday morning, Gov. Beshear said the death toll was at 14 and expected to climb.

We are hard at work this morning addressing the tragic damage and deaths caused by severe weather,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.

Aerial video footage from areas in the South and Midwest, including Kentucky, show a trail of destruction left by devastating storms and tornadoes.